Ramban

Ramban, also known as Nachmanides, Moses ben Nahman, was a major medieval Jewish scholar and biblical commentator. He was born around 1194 in Girona, Catalonia, then part of the Crown of Aragon. He is commonly referred to by the acronym Ramban, a reference to his name.

Ramban established a reputation as a leading Talmudic and biblical scholar and played a central role in the Disputation of Barcelona in 1263, defending Judaism before King James I. After the disputation, he traveled to the Land of Israel, where he spent his final years and died circa 1270.

His most enduring work is his commentary on the Pentateuch, known for its grammatical and literary analysis, its synthesis of peshat with rabbinic interpretation, and occasional philosophical and mystical notes. He also produced other writings and letters, and his Torah commentary is widely studied and printed in many editions alongside other classical sources.

Ramban's exegesis influenced later biblical scholars and Jewish philosophy, and his defense of Jewish tradition at Barcelona remains a landmark in medieval Jewish history. His works continue to be a central source for scholars and students of Judaism, reflecting a distinctive approach that blends straightforward commentary with broader intellectual and spiritual considerations.